What’s the Score?
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – As the global pickleball footprint expands, new heroes are emerging from outside North America. Phuc Huynh, the Vietnamese standout who finished third overall in the inaugural PPA Tour Asia rankings, has capped off a “historic” 2025 season. After securing gold medals at the MB Vietnam Cup and MB Vietnam Open, and a silver in Japan, Huynh is looking toward 2026 with ambitions to elevate not just his own game, but the entire sport’s infrastructure in Vietnam.
Hit it deeper!
2025 was a year of transition and triumph for Huynh. It marked his first full year living in Vietnam full-time, a move he credits with facilitating his personal and professional growth. “Watching the rise and explosive growth of pickleball in Vietnam has been absolutely unreal,” Huynh shared in a reflective social media post.
His performance on the court backed up the sentiment. Huynh became a dominant force on the Asian circuit, defending his home turf with victories at major Vietnamese stops and proving his mettle internationally with a deep run to the silver medal match at the Sansan Fukuoka Open in Japan and a quarter-final appearance at the Panas Malaysia Cup. These results placed him just behind Jack Wong Hong-kit and Hoang Nam Ly in the final regional rankings.
Huynh’s success is also a story of commercial validation for the Asian market. He publicly credited his sponsors, Pickleball D-Joy and Zocker Pickleball Việt Nam, for believing in his journey. This sponsor-athlete relationship highlights the developing ecosystem in the region, where local brands are beginning to invest heavily in top talent.
Looking forward, Huynh is not content with a podium finish. “My goal moving forward is simple: to work harder than ever… not just for myself, but for the growth of pickleball in Vietnam and beyond,” he stated. This “ambassador” mindset is crucial for the PPA Tour Asia as it seeks to establish a sustainable foothold in the region.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Phuc Huynh represents the “Phase 2” of global pickleball. Phase 1 was exporting the American game; Phase 2 is the emergence of indigenous stars who can carry the sport in their own markets. Huynh is not just a player; he is a proof of concept for the PPA’s Asian expansion.
His success proves that the talent level in Asia is rising rapidly. For the sport to become truly global, it needs regional rivalries and local champions. Huynh’s rivalry with players like Jack Wong Hong-kit provides the narrative fuel the Asian tour needs to sell tickets and attract viewership. If 2025 was the year of arrival, 2026 will be the year of establishment. Expect Huynh to be the face of Vietnamese pickleball, potentially bridging the gap to compete against US pros in future international cups.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.